Kandi1977
Ralph Coates
Can add a 3rd one too in Odobert.
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The Centre Forward thread
- Thread starter Pirate55
- Start date
ricky2tricky4city
Gary Stevens
The ones we 'miss' that turn out meh....will never be mentioned in the woulda coulda shoulda diatribe.
Finney Is Back
Jimmy Cantrell
So what do we think our options are for a new CF?.....
1. Bring in a proven but reasonably limited option such as Mateta. Already at their peak but may decline over the next year or two.
Pros: proven in PL, physical, gets into positions to score goals, has a reasonable goal record, likely to be affordable on transfer fee and wages.
Cons: Not a long term option, not got the best touch, is quite wasteful with chances, probably not much of an upgrade on Richi (if at all).
2. Take a punt on Jackson. Not yet at his peak and could still improve further
Pros: reasonably proven in PL, has shown he can cope with the physical demands, works hard off the ball, runs the channels, links play pretty well, gets himself a lot of goalscoring chances, has a reasonable goal record, is a potential long term option
Cons: Is wasteful in front of goal, can be hit and miss with his touch, a reasonable percentage of fans would hate him before he even played for us and be likely to get on his back if he doesn't get off to a great start, would likely cost £60 million, which is on the high side for his talent level (though you might be able to get him for £50m if you leave it late in the window when Chelsea will need to shift players).
3. Take a punt on Mikautadze. Not yet at his peak and could still improve further
Pros: Skillful and gets involved in build up, has got a good goal record at both Villareal and Lyon, is a potential long term option
Cons: Is said to be a bit lazy when out of possession, could be a bit weak for the rigors of PL football, Villareal are said to be demanding £80m to sell him which is a lot of money for somebody who would represent a gamble.
4. Bring in an experienced overseas player at his peak such as Guirassy.
Pros: Incredible goal scoring record in Germany and France - better than a goal every two games for all of the previous 5 seasons (4 in Germany and 1 in France). Looks like he has the physique and power to be successful in the premier league and is known to hold the ball up well with his back to goal, would probably be gettable for around £40m and we could better his Dortmund wages.
Cons: Being 30 already he wouldn't be a long term option, he doesn't really get heavily involved in link up play other than holding it up with his back to goal, while he is proven in Germany there is still a chance that he doesn't take to the PL.
5. Go for a highly rated player but one who hasn't set the world alight at their present club such as Marmoush.
Pros: Great goal scoring record for Frankfurt before joining Emirates Marketing Project, his combined goals and assists record has been excellent for the past 4 years - significantly better than 1 every 2 games), he has decent pace and carries the ball well, he gets involved in link up play, he also presses well and works hard defensively, he is versatile in that he can play as a 9, a 10 or from out wide, Emirates Marketing Project's manager seems open to selling him and we should be able to afford the fee (I would guess £60m).
Cons: At 27 he's not exactly a young player, he is weak in the air and we're already looking as though we're not going to be a particularly big team, so we might need our number 9 to be a prominent set piece defender, he's not very good at holding the ball up with his back to play, he is reported to be on huge wages at Emirates Marketing Project (close to £300k a week), I therefore think he'd have to take a wage cut to go to Spurs and not many players want to do that.
6. Have a really speculative punt on a young player doing really well in a weaker league like Belgium such as Nicolo Tresoldi.
Pros: Would be a (very) long term option at only 21, works really hard and is a relentless presser, is very tall and good in the air, holds the ball up pretty well with his back to goal, has scored goals at a great rate in Belgium - a goal every 131 last season and already 3 goals at a goal a game this season, transfer fee and wages would be no problem at all for us (though Brugge have already knocked back a 35m Euro offer from Roma for him). There is huge potential upside with this player.
Cons: Still very young and nowhere near close to being fully developed as a player, doesn't really have any ball carrying skills, sample size is still small for him in Belgium, going from the Belgian league to the Premier League would be a massive step up for a player so young. In many ways he is probably one that a smart club would buy and then loan straight back to Brugge for another year.
Of the above Marmoush would seem to be the best fit if we it was true that we were serious about getting Kroupi, as the two players have some quite similar attributes. Though if we're talking £60m and close to £300k a week for Marmoush then I think waiting until January and trying to get a younger player in Kroupi for £90m and half the wages is the better option.
Any other thoughts on who might be good options for us? (trying to keep the suggestions sensible in terms of players we could attract and stretch to in terms of affording.
*Edit.... An option that just came to mind is Charles De Kettelare - I wonder if De Zerbi could use him as a king of false 9 in a similar way to how Arteta uses Haivertz at the Woolwich Wanderers? I think he would be really effective in build up play, as well as being able to act as a target man and has proven that he can score goals. Could probably be purchased for under £50m and would double his wage at Spurs.*
1. Bring in a proven but reasonably limited option such as Mateta. Already at their peak but may decline over the next year or two.
Pros: proven in PL, physical, gets into positions to score goals, has a reasonable goal record, likely to be affordable on transfer fee and wages.
Cons: Not a long term option, not got the best touch, is quite wasteful with chances, probably not much of an upgrade on Richi (if at all).
2. Take a punt on Jackson. Not yet at his peak and could still improve further
Pros: reasonably proven in PL, has shown he can cope with the physical demands, works hard off the ball, runs the channels, links play pretty well, gets himself a lot of goalscoring chances, has a reasonable goal record, is a potential long term option
Cons: Is wasteful in front of goal, can be hit and miss with his touch, a reasonable percentage of fans would hate him before he even played for us and be likely to get on his back if he doesn't get off to a great start, would likely cost £60 million, which is on the high side for his talent level (though you might be able to get him for £50m if you leave it late in the window when Chelsea will need to shift players).
3. Take a punt on Mikautadze. Not yet at his peak and could still improve further
Pros: Skillful and gets involved in build up, has got a good goal record at both Villareal and Lyon, is a potential long term option
Cons: Is said to be a bit lazy when out of possession, could be a bit weak for the rigors of PL football, Villareal are said to be demanding £80m to sell him which is a lot of money for somebody who would represent a gamble.
4. Bring in an experienced overseas player at his peak such as Guirassy.
Pros: Incredible goal scoring record in Germany and France - better than a goal every two games for all of the previous 5 seasons (4 in Germany and 1 in France). Looks like he has the physique and power to be successful in the premier league and is known to hold the ball up well with his back to goal, would probably be gettable for around £40m and we could better his Dortmund wages.
Cons: Being 30 already he wouldn't be a long term option, he doesn't really get heavily involved in link up play other than holding it up with his back to goal, while he is proven in Germany there is still a chance that he doesn't take to the PL.
5. Go for a highly rated player but one who hasn't set the world alight at their present club such as Marmoush.
Pros: Great goal scoring record for Frankfurt before joining Emirates Marketing Project, his combined goals and assists record has been excellent for the past 4 years - significantly better than 1 every 2 games), he has decent pace and carries the ball well, he gets involved in link up play, he also presses well and works hard defensively, he is versatile in that he can play as a 9, a 10 or from out wide, Emirates Marketing Project's manager seems open to selling him and we should be able to afford the fee (I would guess £60m).
Cons: At 27 he's not exactly a young player, he is weak in the air and we're already looking as though we're not going to be a particularly big team, so we might need our number 9 to be a prominent set piece defender, he's not very good at holding the ball up with his back to play, he is reported to be on huge wages at Emirates Marketing Project (close to £300k a week), I therefore think he'd have to take a wage cut to go to Spurs and not many players want to do that.
6. Have a really speculative punt on a young player doing really well in a weaker league like Belgium such as Nicolo Tresoldi.
Pros: Would be a (very) long term option at only 21, works really hard and is a relentless presser, is very tall and good in the air, holds the ball up pretty well with his back to goal, has scored goals at a great rate in Belgium - a goal every 131 last season and already 3 goals at a goal a game this season, transfer fee and wages would be no problem at all for us (though Brugge have already knocked back a 35m Euro offer from Roma for him). There is huge potential upside with this player.
Cons: Still very young and nowhere near close to being fully developed as a player, doesn't really have any ball carrying skills, sample size is still small for him in Belgium, going from the Belgian league to the Premier League would be a massive step up for a player so young. In many ways he is probably one that a smart club would buy and then loan straight back to Brugge for another year.
Of the above Marmoush would seem to be the best fit if we it was true that we were serious about getting Kroupi, as the two players have some quite similar attributes. Though if we're talking £60m and close to £300k a week for Marmoush then I think waiting until January and trying to get a younger player in Kroupi for £90m and half the wages is the better option.
Any other thoughts on who might be good options for us? (trying to keep the suggestions sensible in terms of players we could attract and stretch to in terms of affording.
*Edit.... An option that just came to mind is Charles De Kettelare - I wonder if De Zerbi could use him as a king of false 9 in a similar way to how Arteta uses Haivertz at the Woolwich Wanderers? I think he would be really effective in build up play, as well as being able to act as a target man and has proven that he can score goals. Could probably be purchased for under £50m and would double his wage at Spurs.*
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ricky2tricky4city
Gary Stevens
I think anyone who feels too much like a punt eg Mateta, Jackson is a no as the money and wages will still be quite high and will be a total loss if they don't work out.
On your edit: I've been thinking a double false 9 might be a tactical development worth exploring (in football generally). I imagine a loose starting point would be the channel on each side between the CH and FB (to keep the defence off kilter and guessing )but with obvious movement and interchange with widemen and CMs
Think of choosing 2 out of Kroupi, Marmoush, Gakpo, Joao Pedro
Finney Is Back
Jimmy Cantrell
I wanted Joao Pedro back when he was at Watford, was so evident how good he was back then for a poor team.
De Kettelare apeals to me for the reasons you state above. I think he'd make a good false 9, in that he has great touch and link up play but also is still something of a target man and he would also be useful defending set pieces. I think having a false 9 means we'd need our wingers to play quite high and be players that like to come inside as well as getting in behind centrally as the opposition's centre back comes out to deal with our false 9. I think both Tel and Kudus could do that and Gakpo and Kulu could also be successful playing in that way.
A double false 9 is an interesting concept. It would potentially overload an area of the pitch that could make you really productive in transition (and De Zerbi likes transition). I think it would take a lot of coaching of the two players with them having to be really aware of each other's movements. It also puts a lot of defensive responsiblity onto the two central midfield players (who would probably have to curtail their attacking somewhat - though this could suit our new two).
Bullet
Jimmy Cantrell
A great few posts lads. Someone mentioned the idea of Troy Parrott coming back.
I've no clue who has a good enough record in "all" the European leagues e.g. I've never seen Tresoldi, is he better than Woldemort or whatever his name is at Newcash? Someone mentioned Wissa as a stopgap. Meh.
I've no clue who has a good enough record in "all" the European leagues e.g. I've never seen Tresoldi, is he better than Woldemort or whatever his name is at Newcash? Someone mentioned Wissa as a stopgap. Meh.
I would go Jackson or Mikaudaze out of those options presented above.
Jackson misses a lot but i do agree with the idea that getting a high number of chances is a skill in of itself and he's a good contributer to all round play. I think we'd find a buyer for him if we wanted to move him on in a couple of years.
Jackson misses a lot but i do agree with the idea that getting a high number of chances is a skill in of itself and he's a good contributer to all round play. I think we'd find a buyer for him if we wanted to move him on in a couple of years.
Guirassy
Won't cost what Savinho/Gapko/whoever will, 6'2", proven over a long time, downside is he's 30 (31 in 2027), so no resale.
Really not sure why we didn't get rid of one of ours, bring him in, re-evaluate in a year
Gutter Boy
Tim Sherwood
Kofane from Leverkusen is the smart option
Jurgen the German
George Hunt
Helps that they have the best defence in Europe. I’d take Saka and Martinelli over any of our forwards.
a 1 in 5 striker who has 1 season out of 7 in the PL where he made double figures? who's 2nd best ever PL return is 8 goals?Each to our own, but not for me
Ace Face
William Gallas
I think Kulu is perfect for that role once he’s fully fit again.
Lemonade Money
Chris Jones
Watkins? Would've sorted us for a season at least.
thfcsteff
Fanny Walden
I think IF we have a long-term determination to get Kroupi next season, then a short-term option works best. I don't think either of Jackson or Mateta could be any more of an average than Solanke has been for us. The biggest issue would be whether we could move Solanke on to make space for a back-up such as one of those next season WHEN we 'go and get' a Kroupi?
I personally think if he gets Gakpo that he will end up being a 9 sometimes for us currently. I think RDZ has less worries about Richy than our fan base appears to (I would posit that it is Solanke who is causing concerns). I (like you) felt De Kettelare was a great option 2 or 3 seasons ago when first linked. He's a fine player. I see the Havertz false 9 comparison. Do you think De Zerbi wants that? I don't really.
robp135
Tim Sherwood
If Kroupi is the target get him in January. Or even now if the injury is not to the point where it’s a medical/insurance issue.
Bishop
Paul Walsh
Martin Elliot isn't particularly good but I dunno I'd at least have to think of the option to swap him for our 2 came up.
Each to our own, but not for me
Bishop
Paul Walsh
De Kettelare offers the option of being a 10 as well if Maddison/Kulu don't hit form and fitness but then can still offer up as a 9 if they are. QuIte a versatile option to have.
Muttley
Justin Edinburgh
I'm wondering what our loan moves, if any, will be. Last year we obviously had Palinha and Muani.
The closer we get to the window shutting I think the more likely the club will look to plug some gaps using the loan system.
Perhaps it's too early for any speculation to start.
The closer we get to the window shutting I think the more likely the club will look to plug some gaps using the loan system.
Perhaps it's too early for any speculation to start.